EP0065218A1 - Carrier arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle roof carrier includes at least one elongated carrier member transversely mounted on the roof of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the carrier member defines a slit longitudinally extending between the opposing ends of the carrier member and has at least one enlarged area in communication with the slit. Plural mounting members each of which define an aerodynamically-sound forward surface are retained in the carrier member by a retaining clip. The retaining clip is generally U-shaped in configuration and includes terminal legs having engagement members which are registrable with the enlarged area. Furthermore, the mounting members define recessed surfaces so that when the retaining clip is positioned in the slit of the carrier member, the horizontal leg of the retaining clip will be seated in the recessed surface of each mounting member to thereby retain them in a predetermined position on the carrier member. As such, the mounting members can be positioned so that they either form a contiguous, monolithic appearance or can be separated from one another so as to define a space therebetween for carrying elongated goods, such as, skis or the like.

Description

The invention relates to a carrier arrangement for receiving loads to be applied to a motor vehicle roof with preferably two spaced-apart transverse elements to the vehicle roof and lying thereon, each of which can preferably be fixed laterally on vehicle roof spars and / or vehicle roof gutters.

Known carrier arrangements essentially consist of support brackets running at a distance from the motor vehicle roof, which, however, represent a considerable flow resistance and also lead to turbulence due to the distance between the vehicle roof and the carrier, which can lead to a buoyancy of at least the roof carrier, so that normal travel speeds compared to Vehicles for which safety reasons should not be used without a corresponding support bracket.

In order to reduce the flow losses in particular, a proposal was made to cover the corresponding support brackets, which should improve the aerodynamics. However, the cladding is not intended to carry weights yourself.

Since corresponding support brackets are to be subsequently clad, there is the disadvantage that they have to be specially adapted to a vehicle type or a support bracket size in order to enable the desired reduction in flow losses. That often ends Cladding also above the vehicle roof, so that the unwanted turbulence and associated wind noise can not be prevented. Carrier arrangements for exclusively accommodating ski boxes are also known, in which the support elements rest directly on the motor vehicle roof. However, this has the disadvantage that the load is transmitted over the entire motor vehicle roof, as a result of which the unstable zones (central region of the roof) in particular are deformed and dented. This is caused, inter alia, by the fact that the tensioning straps which fix the support elements run directly along the roof and are riveted, for example, in the bottom region of the edge sections of the support elements. Furthermore, an adaptation to different roof dimensions is hardly possible. A corresponding arrangement can only be used for roofs with gutters (DE-OS 29 10 895). The object of the present invention is to develop a carrier arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset such that, with a simple construction, attachment to any motor vehicle roof, for example with and without rain gutters, is possible without the risk of the roof being deformed. Furthermore, the possibility is to be given to use the Trägeranordnu.ng as an output element for different load suspension devices such as luggage racks or surf carriers or bicycle racks, with an extremely appealing appearance being ensured when loads are missing.

The object is essentially achieved in that each support element comprises a body which is aerodynamically designed to reduce the driving resistance, via which the loads are essentially transferable to the stable zones of the motor vehicle roof without deforming it, and in that at least the front and side edges of the body are provided with a rubber element, with the vibration-absorbing rubber element sealingly supporting the body on the motor vehicle. The roof-side and upstream-side envelope of each body can therefore be described as wedge-shaped. Further is the body preferably as a shell-shaped, hollow body open on the roof side, the upstream surface of which faces the vehicle at an angle other than 0. This is to achieve a spoiler-like shape.

The proposal according to the invention proposes a carrier arrangement in which the conventional support brackets are removed and these are completely replaced by the bodies, which are preferably made of plastic. The spoiler-like design ensures that the flow resistance of a motor vehicle provided with the carrier arrangement according to the invention is reduced in comparison to known arrangements. In addition, since the support elements lie tightly on the motor vehicle roof, it is ensured that the wind cannot flow through them, so that turbulence and disturbing wind noise are excluded. The load transfer to the stable zones of the motor vehicle roof also ensures that it cannot be deformed. The rubber element finally ensures that no vibrations can be transmitted to the vehicle from the support elements. The rubber element, preferably in the form of a rubber strip, therefore acts as a shock absorber.

In addition, due to the fact that the support element rests on the vehicle roof, a side attachment to a spar can take place, which is excluded when using support brackets spaced apart from the roof, or is possibly only possible through complex constructions. Of course, there is also the option of screwing the support element onto the roof, for example using recessed nuts or threaded holes.

In order to ensure that the spoiler-like body rests securely on a non-slipping, vibration-free position, it has a preferably all-round rubber strip at least along its front and side support edge. Can also be attached to a rubber plate or the like. Through the rubber strip or the rubber plate, a suction effect is also achieved with respect to the vehicle roof, so that a perfect attachment is given.

In its own inventive design, the support element comprises a plate-shaped base element, in the longitudinal direction of which a receiving device, preferably having a slot, extends, into which elements and / or holding elements of, for example, luggage racks, bicycle racks, suitcase boxes, surfboard holders or the like, which are designed to be streamlined on the upstream side, can be inserted, the base element being on the roof side of the motor vehicle for sealing support on the motor vehicle roof, at least in the front and side area, a rubber element, for example in the form of a rubber strip receiving the front and side edges of the base element, via which the loads are transmitted to the stable zones of the roof.

This proposal according to the invention, with the base element lying on the motor vehicle roof, preferably provided on its roof-side front and side edges with a rubber strip, represents a body-adaptable roof plate which generates a minimal flow resistance and can be described as barely visible, since the constant transition from the motor vehicle roof to the base element optically there is no interruption (as in the known carrier arrangements), so that conscious perception can hardly be determined.

The base element is now the output element for attaching luggage racks, bicycle racks, suitcase boxes, surfboard holders or the like, for example. So that these elements do not have a negative influence on the flow behavior, elements which are designed to be aerodynamically favorable and which can be compared in cross section with a hump are releasably placed on the base elements. Thus, the cusp-shaped elements together with the base element and the rubber surround surrounding the roof molding result again in cross-section a shape that is the same with regard to the roof-side and upstream envelope if it can be described as wedge-shaped. This results in aerodynamics that are extremely aerodynamic and therefore hardly affect the driving behavior of a motor vehicle.

Regardless of whether the support element consists of a single unitary body with a rubber strip or rubber plate arranged on the roof or a base element with a rubber strip or rubber plate and optionally attachable aerodynamically designed elements, the body or the base element on the motor vehicle roof are laterally spaced apart the motor vehicle roof protruding from the body or the base element and relatively displaceable fasteners such as hooks or claws in particular for load-bearing support in the side region of the motor vehicle roof _' , which in turn preferably via a traction element running inside the body such as a cable or a linkage are connected, the spacing of the fastening elements for alignment to the associated motor vehicle roof being adjustable by changing the length of the tension element. This embodiment has the advantage that even for different types of vehicles, it is possible to adapt to different attachment points without changing the external dimensions of the body or the base element. The prerequisite is, of course, that the respective fastening element is designed to be relatively displaceable to the side surfaces of the body. In order to be able to increase or decrease the distance between the fastening elements, only the tension element then needs to be shortened or lengthened.

Since the load transmission takes place in particular through the fastening element extending from the base element at a distance from the motor vehicle roof to the reinforced side region of the motor vehicle roof, the direct bearing on the motor vehicle roof does not lead to any deformation.

The fastening elements, which are fixed via a line pressure, are preferably articulated outside of the body or base element connected to the tension element, the tension element for coarse adjustment of the distance between the fastening elements mutually displaceable first sections, one section of which comprises projections and the other section associated recesses, and for fine adjustment second sections, which preferably have a counter-threaded sleeve, for example a Ratchet to limit the applied torque includes, are connectable. In this case, by means of the fine adjustment, for example the torque limitation mentioned, secure attachment to the vehicle roof can take place without the risk of deformation on the motor vehicle increasing.

The articulated connection between the tension element and the fastening element ensures, in particular in the event of an accident, that sufficient force absorption takes place in this area, so that the risk of unintentional detachment of the support arrangement from a motor vehicle roof is virtually excluded.

The simple assembly of the carrier arrangement is ensured in that the tension element has rigid sections which have the aforementioned projections or recesses, the projections being displaceable only in one direction along the recesses, as a result of which, when the tension element is shortened, a desired distance between the coarsely adjusted Fastening elements and therefore also adaptation to a motor vehicle roof width is given.

Then the fine adjustment of the tension element can be carried out by, for example, tightening a counter-threaded sleeve with a tool. Since the tension element runs inside the body or base element, the tool can be introduced via a slot provided in the body or base element. To prevent theft, the tool can have a special shape, which means that the slot has a corresponding shape, so that access to the counter-threaded sleeve is not possible with conventional wrenches. The Counter thread sleeve can of course be replaced by any other element with the same effect.

If the base element consists of a unitary body with a rubber plate or rubber strip arranged on the roof, the body has a plurality of recesses for receiving loads and / or holding elements for the loads, the recesses preferably being slit-shaped, funnel-shaped, conical or similar. Skis can also be introduced directly into these recesses, for example.

According to a further embodiment, adapters can be introduced into the recesses, which are used to fasten, for example, luggage racks, surfboard holders, bicycle holders or suitcase boxes. The corresponding adapters then only have to be used to attach the necessary holding elements for the objects to be transported.

The spoiler-like design of the support elements and the fact that they rest directly on the vehicle roof result in the further advantage that, for example, ski bindings present between the support elements are largely protected during transport, so that additional protective measures need not be taken. This is due to the fact that the area between the holding elements is 1 protected from the wind.

In order to enable a secure attachment of the adapter or objects directly introduced into the recesses, such as skis, it is further proposed to arrange a closure element, such as a rubber-metal tube bracket or a similar tubular element, preferably over the apex area of the body . The closure element should preferably be arranged so that it can be closed. For this purpose, the closure element can have a projection at its free end which can be inserted into the body and there, for example, by means of a cylinder block is lockable. In addition, the projection can be introduced into a recess provided in the fastening element, so that an additional anti-theft device is provided.

As an alternative to this, the closure element can consist of two sections articulated centrally or almost centrally in the apex area of the body, the free ends of which can be secured in the edge area of the body, preferably lockable.

If the body comprises the plate-shaped base element, in the embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is a U-shaped profile material embedded in the base element for forming the slot with mutually facing free ends of the legs, the slot preferably being expanded in the region of the ends of the receiving device. In this slot formed by the profile material, the holding elements of luggage racks, surfboard holders and the like can now be introduced, as well as the aerodynamically designed elements, which have projections on the bottom that allow displacement in the slots, the projections being designed such that they are removed in principle is only possible in the area of the slot extensions. As an alternative to this, the base-side projection can of course be designed to be rotatable, for example by means of an attachable tool. The projection can take two positions. In one position, the element cannot be removed from the slot, whereas in the other position, insertion or removal is possible.

The elements can be introduced into one another in the receiving device in such a way that they touch one another, that is to say that several elements form a unit, or that they are spaced apart from one another. The latter is advantageous if, for example, skis are to be accommodated in the space formed between the elements, so that additional holding elements are not required. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the elements can be spanned by at least one holding bracket. The bracket preferably has a U-shape and has free ends on its free legs, the base of which corresponds approximately to the dimensions of the slots in their respective expanded area. A tapered section adjoins this area in order to enable the bracket to be displaceable along the slot.

In other words, the foot end must first be inserted into the slot extension and moved in the direction of the bottom of the profile material in order to be able to subsequently move the bracket.

Preferably, two brackets arranged one behind the other can span the elements, the vertically extending legs lying on the inside with respect to the slot being connected in an articulated manner to the remaining bracket parts. This has the advantage that the brackets can remain anchored in the slot with one leg, in order, for example, to be able to remove skis arranged between elements by swiveling up the other bracket parts. The pivotability of the horizontal and outer vertical leg should be facilitated by the fact that, for example, spring preload influences the force in the opening direction with the restriction that, for example, only pivoting by an angular range of 45 ° is possible, so that without difficulty Detect and re-anchor the outer leg in the receiving device is possible.

In order to be able to equip each support element theft-proof with only one lock, it is proposed in a further embodiment of the invention that the slot extensions are each arranged at a distance from the slot ends so that the bracket or brackets can be displaced into an end position of the slot that only one of the slot extensions is accessible, for example a cylinder lock can be inserted. In other words, the stirrups are displaced in the slot in such a way that the stirrups can no longer be displaced when a slot extension is closed, so that the foot ends cannot be removed from the other slot extension.

In order to make the elements that can be displaced in the slots particularly streamlined, the element has a wedge shape in section, the upstream (front) surface of which is convex and the rear of which is formed from two convex and / or almost straight or straight lines, the (step-like) transition is a horizontal or almost horizontal section. The vertically extending leg of the bracket spanning the elements can then preferably be placed on this section.

If the body or the plate-shaped base element is surrounded by a rubber strip at least at its front and side edges, the following embodiments are to be referred to as preferred. The respective front and side edge of the body or base element is designed to rise steeply starting from an outer section running horizontally approximately parallel to the vehicle roof. The assigned rubber strip has on the roof side a floor area curved to achieve a suction effect with a front (longer) and a rear (shorter) leg. The outer surface of the rear leg is steeper than the preferably wavy outer surface of the front leg. Furthermore, the legs open into a central region enclosing a cavity in order to merge into the upper legs encompassing the edge, of which the front leg has a bead-like reinforcement in order to achieve a prestress in the direction of the base element or the body. The special design of the rubber strip ensures that there is almost immovability when resting on a motor vehicle roof. Because of the special Formation of the legs and the cavity enclosing the central area, which acts as a shock absorber, ensures that in the event of an impact of the motor vehicle, the rubber strip itself dampens the apparently forward-supporting support element, so that it is largely excluded that a support element from a motor vehicle roof is thrown away.

It should also be noted that both the body and the base element can be bowl-shaped hollow bodies and preferably consist of ABS plastic.

There is also the possibility of screwing the body or the base element onto the roof. If they are to be used on a vehicle with wing doors, the support elements are divided.

In a further embodiment, a third support element can be mounted on the trunk lid in a motor vehicle equipped with a notchback. This support element serves together with the rear support element fastened on the motor vehicle roof as a bicycle holder, so that a bicycle can be attached and fastened to the motor vehicle without difficulty.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Trägeranordnung,
• Fig. 2 eine Ausgestaltung der Trägeranordnung nach Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 eine weitere besonders hervorzuhebende Ausführungsform eines Trägerelementes in Explosionsdarstellung,
• Fig. 4 eine Trägeranordnung unter Verwendung eines Trägerelementes nach Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 eine modifizierte Trägeranordnung mit Trägerelementen nach Fig. 3,
• Fig. 6 eine Detaildarstellung einer Trägerelementenbefestigung,
• Fig. 7 eine weitere Detaildarstellung einer Trägerelemgntenbefestigung,
• Fig. 8 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines einen Trägerelementenrand aufnehmenden Gummielementes und
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Verwendungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Trägeranordnung.

Show it:

• 1 is a perspective schematic representation of an embodiment of a carrier arrangement according to the invention,
• 2 shows an embodiment of the carrier arrangement according to FIG. 1,
• 3 shows another embodiment of a carrier element to be particularly emphasized in an exploded view,
• 4 shows a carrier arrangement using a carrier element according to FIG. 3,
• 5 shows a modified carrier arrangement with carrier elements according to FIG. 3,
• 6 shows a detailed illustration of a support element fastening,
• 7 shows a further detailed illustration of a carrier element fastening,
• 8 is an enlarged view of a rubber element receiving a carrier element edge and
• 9 shows a perspective illustration of a form of use of a carrier arrangement according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 is a purely schematic, a carrier assembly 10 consisting of a front and a rear support member 12 and 14, which are arranged lying on a vehicle roof 16 and via fastening elements 18 and 20 in the form of claws with the side rails 22 of the Motor vehicle connected are shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the support elements 12 and 14 are to be designed as shell-shaped hollow bodies which are preferably made of plastic and are open on the inflow side and are wedge-shaped on the upstream side to reduce the driving resistance, that is to say they have a ramp-shaped inflow surface 24 or 26. In other words, the inflow surface 24 or 26 is inclined essentially at an acute angle to the vehicle roof 16. Between the support edges or support edges 28 and 30 of the shell-shaped hollow bodies 12 and 14, which in practice can also be formed as solid bodies or hollow bodies closed on the roof side, and the motor vehicle roof surface 16, a preferably circumferential rubber strip 32 or 34 is arranged, respectively a secure and non-damaging resting on the vehicle roof 16 ensures. At the same time, the hollow body 12 or 14 thus acts as a suction element, which provides additional stabilization and slip resistance. In order to be able to transport skis 36 indicated in the drawings with the aid of the carrier arrangement 10, the support elements 12 and 14 have recesses 38, 40 in the form of slots which are arranged along the support elements in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The slots 38 and 40 preferably extend into the area of the support edges 28 and 30. If, for example, the skis 36 are introduced into recesses 38 and 40 that are assigned to one another, not only is a safe transport of the skis ensured, but at the same time the ski binding 42 present between the support elements 12 and 14 is protected against the headwind due to the negative pressure which forms, so that further protective measures need not be taken.

The spoiler-like design of the bodies 12 and 14 and the fact that they rest directly on the vehicle roof 16 ensures that the driving resistance is higher than that of known support brackets pointing roof rack is reduced and also a flow of air along the support elements 12 and 14 can not take place, so that an undesirable buoyancy or turbulence is avoided. Due to the closed arrangement 10 resting on the vehicle roof 16, the style of the correspondingly equipped vehicle is also largely unchanged, so that the arrangement according to the invention also has an appealing look from an aesthetic point of view.

1 and 2 are inserted into the slots 38 and 40 skis in the exemplary embodiments according to the invention, adapters can also be arranged in an embodiment of the invention, which in turn serve as output fastening elements for, for example, ski boxes, luggage racks, surfboard holders, bicycle holders or suitcase boxes. Accordingly, with the aid of the carrier arrangement 10 according to the invention, a basic building block is made available which can easily be converted in accordance with the desired transport applications without having to change the favorable aerodynamics of the arrangement.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 shows further configurations of the carrier arrangement 10 according to the invention, the elements occurring in FIG. 2 and described in connection with FIG. 1 being given the same reference numerals.

The spoiler-like bodies 12 and 14, which are visible in FIG. 2 in comparison to FIG. 1 on the opposite vehicle spar 44 and are attached over the hooks 46 and 48, additionally have closure elements 50 and 52 in the apex region, which are made of two in relation to one another the body 12 and 14 centrally arranged rubber-metal tube brackets 54, 56 or 58 and 60 are put together. In order to be able to insert adapters (not shown) or, for example, the skis 36 into the recesses 38 or 40, the rubber clips 54, 56 and 58, 60 folded up, that is, removed from the support elements 12 and 14. The brackets are then placed on the bodies, those in the edge area preferably being closable by means of an indicated cylinder block 62, so that the objects picked up by the carrying elements 12 and 14 can be transported in a theft-proof manner.

The theft-proof locking of the ^c closure elements 50 and 52 is illustrated in connection with the section 60 and the support element 14. A projection 64 protrudes from the free end of the section 60 in such a way that in the position lying on the support element 14 it penetrates into it in such a way that the cylinder block 62 can snap into place. Preferably, the projection 64 interacts with the fastening element 48 at the same time, so that removal of the hook 48 is impossible at the same time when the bracket 60 is secured. As a result, the support element 14 itself is secured against inadvertent removal.

A further preferred embodiment of the support elements according to the invention is illustrated in particular in connection with the support element 12 of FIG. 2. The fastening elements 46 and 48 are thus connected to one another via a tension element 65, the length of which can be changed by a tensioning element, not shown, such as a counter-threaded sleeve. This has the advantage that the support elements 12 and 14 according to the invention can be applied to motor vehicle roofs of different sizes without having to change the design. If the distance between the hooks 46 and 48 is to be increased, only the pulling element has to be extended by means of the mating thread sleeve, not shown, in order to ensure a secure attachment. Preferably, the tensioning element is accessible via a recess 38 or 40 in order to be able to transport the object (in the embodiment shown) example in the form of skis 36) to ensure that unwanted loosening cannot take place, so that additional theft protection is provided.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that in the case of existing closure elements 50 and 52, these should preferably be insertable into concave recesses arranged in the head region of the support elements 12 and 14, respectively, in order to enable secure guidance and fixing. At the same time, there can then be a constant transition from the inflow surface of the support elements into the closure elements, so that the aerodynamically favorable shape remains unchanged.

The supporting element 12 according to FIG. 2 furthermore has a retracted rear wall surface 63 which serves as a wind tear-off edge in order to ensure, in the case of a sliding roof which may be present, that the airstream cannot penetrate into the interior of the motor vehicle to the disturbing extent.

If the carrier arrangement 10 according to the invention is determined in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the aerodynamically designed bodies 12 and 14 lying directly over the circumferential rubber strip 30, FIGS. 3 to 9 show a variant that is particularly noteworthy, in which each support element is a plate-shaped one Includes base element 68, in the longitudinal direction of which a receiving device 94, preferably having a slot 96, extends, into which, for example, bump-shaped elements 72 which are designed to be aerodynamic can be detachably inserted. The base element 68 has on its front and side edge 112 a circumferential rubber strip 70, the design of which is described in more detail in connection with FIG. 8. The rubber strip 70 and the plate-shaped base element, which can be referred to as a body-adaptable roof plate, consequently form the basis for a carrier arrangement which only marginally influences the flow resistance of a motor vehicle and is barely perceptible due to its small height. This can be supported in that the base element 68 is adapted to the motor vehicle in terms of its coloring.

The base plate 68 is fastened on the motor vehicle roof by means of fastening elements which protrude from the side surfaces at a distance from the motor vehicle roof and can be displaced relative to these in such a way that the load-bearing support takes place in the side region of the motor vehicle roof, so that despite the base element 68 lying thereon there is a deformation - a deflection - does not experience, so that it can be safely guided along a plastic or acrylic glass roof.

The fastening elements essentially consist of a hook-shaped or claw-shaped outer element 88 which, with its free end 92, can preferably underline a spar or a roof gutter of a motor vehicle, not shown, in line pressure. A preferably flexible or possibly a rigid element 86 adjoins the hook 88 in an articulated manner, which is guided via a guide 84 into the interior of the base element 68 in order to be tensioned there by a tension element (not shown). Further details are explained in connection with FIG. 6.

The articulated, a rotation around the axis 90 connection between the hook 88 and the element 86 gives the advantage that, for example, in the event of an accident in the articulation area, force absorption takes place such that the holding element according to the invention is unlikely to slip away.

So that the base element can support loads without significantly influencing the aerodynamics, i.e. can accommodate luggage racks, bike racks, suitcase boxes or surfboard racks, for example aerodynamically designed elements 72 introduced into the slot 96. This slot is part of the receiving device 94, which is embedded in the base element 68 and is preferably formed by a U-shaped profile material with mutually facing free ends of the legs. It can also be seen that a slot widening 98 takes place in the outer edge regions of the receiving device 94, but at a distance from its respective free ends, the function of which is described in more detail below.

The elements 72 can be releasably strung together or inserted at a distance from one another in the slot 96. If the elements 72 are at a distance from one another, this can be selected such that loads such as e.g. Skis can be arranged.

The element 72, which preferably shows a wedge shape in section, has a convex surface on the inflow side which merges into two rear surfaces 108 and 110 which are offset with respect to one another and which can likewise run in a convex or rectilinear or almost rectilinear manner. The transition between the surfaces 108 and 110 forms a preferably horizontally extending step 106 (it should be mentioned in this context that the elements to be arranged on the front and the rear base element need not be of identical design).

A horizontal leg 116 of a U-shaped bracket 74 or 76 can now run along the step 106, in order to ensure, on the one hand, that the elements 72 cannot be moved and, on the other hand, skis or the like which are inserted between spaced-apart elements. secure against unintentional removal.

The U-shaped brackets have foot ends 78, the surfaces of which correspond approximately to the slot extensions 98. In other words, must the foot end 78 are inserted into the slot widening 98, are moved towards the bottom of the receiving device 94 so that a movement along the slot 96 can take place. For this purpose, a taper 80 adjoins the foot end 78. Accordingly, the depth of the taper 80 corresponds to the slot width and the height of the taper 80 roughly corresponds to the thickness of the profile material in the slot area. A tapering leg of the U-shaped bracket 74 or 76 adjoins the taper 80. In the enlarged representation of FIG. 3, this vertically extending leg is generally provided with the reference symbol 82, which corresponds to the leg 114 or 118 in the representation of the bracket 76.

The elements 72 and the brackets 74 and 76 are now introduced as follows. First, the foot end of the vertically extending leg 114 is inserted into the slot extension 98 and moved along the slot 96. The elements 72 can then be pushed in, which have projections (not shown) on their base (bottom) surface, which correspond to the receiving device 94 in such a way that an unwanted removal cannot take place. After the elements 72 have been inserted at the desired distance from one another, the foot end of the outer, vertically extending leg 98 can be introduced into the slot extension 98, so that the horizontally extending leg 116 abuts the horizontal sections (steps) of the elements 72. The bracket 76 can then be displaced in the direction of the outer end of the receiving device 94, so that the foot surface 98 is no longer aligned perpendicular to the slot extension 98, so that removal of the bracket is no longer possible.

3, two brackets 74 and 76 are provided for fastening the elements 72. Of course, a single bracket can also perform the same function.

As soon as the brackets 74 and 76 have been fixed with the elements 72 to be spanned by them, the brackets 74 and 76 can be moved to the left or right in accordance with the arrow indicated. The elongated extension of the stirrups 74 and 76 is selected such that when an end position is reached (ie when the left vertical leg of the stirrup 74 or its base point is shifted all the way to the left or the base point of the leg 118 is shifted all the way to the right) is), on the one hand, the stirrups can no longer be removed from the slot and, on the other hand, the slot extension 98 opposite the end position is released so that it can be provided with a lock, for example. This means that only one shut-off device in the form of a lock is required to prevent theft of the loads or load-bearing devices applied to the base element, whereas a locking device is required on each side in the known support elements.

To achieve this advantage, it is of course necessary that the change in the distance of the fastening elements 86, 88 protruding from the side surfaces of the base element 68 is only possible in that the pulling element, not shown and explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 6, by interaction with a in the Insertable tool base element interior is adjustable. In the exemplary embodiment, this takes place via a slot 102, which is covered by an element 72 in the base element 68, which is completely assembled and has the elements 72 and the brackets 74 and 76. It should also be mentioned that the tool for adjusting the tension element preferably has a special shape, and consequently the slot 102 has a shape adapted to it, so that the tension element cannot be influenced with conventional tools, so that even if element 72 is not present, theft is inhibited given is.

Likewise, there is the possibility that the elements 72 do not necessarily have to be inserted into the receiving device 94 via the carved extension 98, but that this can take place via ramp-shaped transitions 100, which are formed by depressions in the base element 68 adjacent to the outer ends of the receiving device 96 .

In the following description of FIGS. 4 and 9, it should be mentioned that the same elements are given the same reference numerals with respect to FIG. 3.

4 shows a schematic representation of a carrier arrangement 114, which is composed of a front support element 116 and a rear support element 118. Each support element 116, 118 has a structure as described in FIG. 3. The same applies to the attachment to the motor vehicle roof 122. This means that the hooks or claws 88 engage behind side rails or edges of the roof 122, preferably in line pressure.

In the exemplary embodiment, the carrier arrangement 114 is intended to accommodate a luggage rack 120. For this purpose, projections (not shown) engage in the slots 96 of the receiving device 94. In addition, the aerodynamically designed elements 72 are provided on the front support element 114 so that the aerodynamics are not adversely affected by the luggage rack 120 and any loads that are applied. For this purpose, the elements 72 on the front base element are adjacent to one another and not at a distance from one another, so that they form a closed surface, that is to say the base element 68 with the surrounding rubber 70 receiving it and the elements 72 form approximately a body! it has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The rear support element 118 is not shown with the elements ten 72, corresponding elements can of course be arranged in this area. The elements arranged on the support element 118 need of course not be selected to be identical to the front elements 72.

It can also be seen from the illustration in FIG. 4 that the slot 102 let in on the front base element 68 for adjusting the fastening elements 88 is covered by an element 72, whereas the slot 102 on the rear base element 68 is open. However, there is no risk of theft as a result, since on the one hand the front support element 116 is secured against theft and on the other - as mentioned - the slot 102 has a special shape so that a conventional tool cannot be inserted.

5 shows a carrier arrangement 124 which is intended for a passenger car having two side doors and which has no gutters, that is to say in which the fastening elements 88 have to grip around the roof edges. It can be seen from this that only the front support element 126 can be fastened to the motor vehicle roof in a manner as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. 5, the rear support element 128 is connected to the front support element 126 via struts 130 and 132 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, struts 134 and 136 run into the rear area of the motor vehicle in order to be fixed there in the upper frame area of the rear door opening when a rear door is present. The struts 130 and 134 or 132 and 134 can also be connected via tension elements running inside the base element, so that they can be adapted to different types of motor vehicles or the distance between the front and rear support elements 126 and 128 can be freely adjusted. Otherwise, the structure of the support elements 126 and 128 corresponds to that of FIG. 3.

Since the carrier arrangement 124 according to FIG. 5 is shown from the rear, it can be clearly seen that the base elements 68 are in the form of a shell with the rear edge drawn away and omitted. It can also be observed that the rubber strip 70 comprises the pulled-down side edges and the front edge. This has the advantage, among other things, that material is saved without the functionality of the support elements being influenced. On the other hand, no closed cavity is formed below the base element 68, which could possibly result in the motor vehicle roof tending to form rust in this area.

The fastening devices required for fastening the base element 68 are shown in more detail in a sectional view in FIG. 6. In this connection it should be mentioned that the same fastening elements can of course also be used for the embodiments of the carrying elements according to the invention which characterize FIGS. 1 and 2.

The indicated base element 68 can be seen through the traction element 138, which has already been mentioned several times and which is rigid at its front end and is guided outwards via the guide 84 in order to pass into the hooks or claws 88 which are connected to its or its front free ends 92 preferably in line pressure under a vehicle roof edge or a vehicle roof gutter. It can also be seen that the transition between the rigid part 86 of the tension element 138 and the hook 88 is an articulated connection 90 in order to enable the aforementioned force absorption in the event of an accident. Flexible sections 140 and 142 adjoin rigid section 86 and are connected to one another via a threaded sleeve 144. Rigid sections 146 and 148 then adjoin the flexible section 142, of which section 146 has projections 150 and section 148 has associated recesses 152.

Section 148 can then merge again into a flexible section in order to open into a section corresponding to section 86. Alternatively, the right free end of section 148 may be the outwardly projecting section.

The sections 146 and 148 with the associated projections 150 and 152 open up the possibility of roughly adjusting the distance between the outwardly projecting hooks or claws 88. For this purpose, section 148 must first be detached from section 146 in order to achieve a distance between the hooks or claws 88 that is larger than the fastening points on the motor vehicle roof. The section 148 is then moved in the direction of the arrow 154. This means that the recesses 122 slide over the projections 150. The design of the projections 150, which act like barbs, makes it possible to move the section 148 without resistance in the direction of the arrow 154. If the section 148 were moved in the opposite direction of the arrow 154, the projections 150 snap firmly into the recesses 152, so that a further change is not possible. After a coarse adjustment is given by the interaction of the sections 146, 148 or the projections and recesses 150, 152, the final distance between the hooks or claws 88 can take place via the counter-thread sleeve 144 connecting the flexible sections 140, 142 or a correspondingly acting element. In order to make this possible, the counter-threaded sleeve 144 must be gripped, for example, by a specially designed key which is introduced into the interior of the base element or the body 12, 14 through the slot 1C2 already mentioned in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 . Debel, the counter-thread sleeve should have a limitation of the influence of the outside torque by the tool in order to rule out excessive tightening and thus possibly occurring deformation of the motor vehicle roof.

Due to the inventive design of the tension element 138 and the outwardly directed fastening elements 86 and 88 and their articulated connection, an extremely functional and safe-acting fastening device for fixing the supporting elements according to the invention on a motor vehicle roof is provided with simple handling.

In order to be able to use the carrier arrangement also for motor vehicles which have overlapping door versions, the fastening elements protruding from the base element 68 or the bodies 12 and 14 can be designed as shown in FIG. 7. As the detailed illustration shows an assignment of a motor vehicle door 156 and the adjoining frame 158, the upper end of the door 156 bulges continuously in the direction of the motor vehicle roof 158. In such a case, a type of fastening such as that used in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 is not possible. However, in order to ensure that the carrier arrangement according to the invention is also used for corresponding motor vehicles, the free end of the fastening elements 160 is designed such that a U-shaped groove is preferably obtained by deforming the free end, which receives a projection 164 provided on the motor vehicle frame. As a result, the support element is held securely when the tension element is tensioned, without further securing being necessary. A corresponding type of fastening results in an additional anti-theft device, since the fastening point is covered by the upper edge of the door 156, and is therefore not freely accessible.

The at least the side edges and the front edge 112 of the base element 68 b ₇ w. the rubber strip 70 comprising the body 12 and 14 is shown enlarged in FIG. 8 in order to better recognize the features essential to the invention.

When the edge 112 is embedded, which extends from an outer section 176 that runs horizontally approximately parallel to a vehicle roof to a section 166 that rises steeply, the rubber element 70 has a curved bottom area 172 that merges into a front leg 174 and a rear leg 170 , the front of which is longer. The curvature of the floor 172 results in a suction effect when lying on a motor vehicle roof, which ensures that the base bar 68 or the bodies 12 and 14 receiving the rubber strip 70 cannot slip.

Furthermore, the outer surface of the rear leg 170 is preferably steeper than the wavy outer surface of the front leg 174. A cavity 168, which acts as a shock absorber, is also provided between the curved base region 172 and the L-shaped recess for the base element edge 112. Finally, it can be seen that the front leg 174 has a reinforcement 178 in the region of the edge 112, which on the one hand enables adaptation to the transition of the edge 112 from the horizontal to the vertical section and on the other hand prestresses the leg 174 in the direction of the edge 112 to be received ensures. If there is an increased influence on the force in the direction of the front leg 174, then the cavity 168 on the one hand causes a force absorption and on the other hand the bead-like reinforcement 178 that a resistance to the force is opposed, so that the edge 112 largely slides out of the rubber strip 70 is prevented.

Finally, FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another possible application or embodiment of a carrier arrangement 180, which essentially consists of the elements which are shown in connection with FIG. 4. However, the front support element 182 has an interchangeable insert 192 in the form of a notice; = childes like "taxi" or advertising signs or the like. This interchangeable element 192 is also designed to be streamlined, so that the advantages achieved by the teaching according to the invention, which are expressed in particular in advantageous aerodynamics, simple construction, energy and thus fuel savings, are not adversely affected. It can also be seen that the front support element 182 has slot-shaped recesses 188 in which, for example, elements of a luggage rack 190 can be brought. The rear support element 184 corresponds completely to the structure of FIG. 3, that is to say that in addition to the base element 68, elements 186 are embedded, which correspond to the elements 72, a distance being chosen between the elements 186 to the ends of the luggage rack 190 in the to be able to introduce the slot shown in the base element 68.

If the contour of the front support element 130 is chosen to rise gently starting from the outside, it is of course also possible to choose any other shape which has the desired positive flow influence.

The illustration in FIG. 9 again shows the wide variety of possible uses of the carrier arrangement according to the invention. It was also possible to show only a small area of application of the invention in the exemplary embodiments, which means that the scope of the invention has not been restricted.

Claims (10)

1. Carrier arrangement for receiving loads to be applied to a motor vehicle roof, preferably with two spaced-apart transverse elements to the vehicle roof and lying thereon, each of which can preferably be fixed laterally to vehicle spars and / or vehicle roof gutters, characterized in that
that each support element (12, 14) comprises a body which is aerodynamically designed to reduce the driving resistance, via which the loads are essentially transferable to the stable zones of the motor vehicle roof without deforming it, and that at least the front and side edges of the body have a Rubber element (32, 34) are provided, with the vibration-absorbing rubber element providing a sealing support of the body on the motor vehicle roof. 2. Carrier arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in
that the body (12, 14) has a plurality of recesses (38, 40) for receiving loads (36) and / or holding elements for the loads, the recesses preferably being slit-shaped. 3. Carrier arrangement in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that
that the support element (116, 118, 126, 128, 130, 138) comprises a plate-shaped base element (68), in the longitudinal direction of which a receiving device (94) preferably having a slot (96) extends, into which elements (72, 132, 140) and / or holding elements of, for example, luggage racks (120, 136), bicycle holders, suitcase boxes, surfboard holders or the like can be inserted, and that the base element on the motor vehicle roof side for the sealing support on the motor vehicle roof, at least in the front and side region, a rubber element (70) for example in the form of a rubber strip receiving the front and side edges of the base element, via which the loads can be transferred to the stable zones of the motor vehicle roof. 4. A carrier arrangement according to claim 1 and / or claim 3, characterized in that
that the body (12, 14) or the base element (68) on the motor vehicle roof (16, 122) indirectly or directly via fastening elements (18) which protrude laterally from the body or the base element and are relatively displaceable relative to the motor vehicle roof , 20, 46, 68; 86, 88, 138) can be fixed, for example, via hooks or claws, in particular for load-bearing support in the side region of the motor vehicle roof, which in turn is preferably via a tension element (138) running inside the body, such as a cable or a linkage are connected, the spacing of the fastening elements for alignment to the associated motor vehicle roof being adjustable by changing the length of the tension element. 5. Carrier arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in
that the fastening elements (88), which are preferably fixed via a line pressure (92), are connected in an articulated manner to the tension element (138) outside the body (12, 14) or base element (68), that the tension element for rough adjustment of the distance between the fastening elements is displaceable relative to one another first sections (146, 148), of which one section (146) comprises projections (150) and the other section (148) comprise recesses (152) associated therewith, and for fine adjustment has second sections (140, 142), which preferably have a Counter thread sleeve (144) can be connected to each other. 6. Carrier arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in
that the receiving device (94) is a U-shaped profile material embedded in the base element (68) to form the slot (96) with mutually facing free ends of the legs, the slot preferably being expanded in the region of the ends of the receiving device (98) . 7. Carrier arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in
that the element (72, 186, 192) has a wedge shape in section, the upstream (front) surface (104) is convex and the rear of two convex and / or almost rectilinear or rectilinear partial surfaces (108, 110) is formed, the (Step-like) transition is a horizontally or almost horizontally running section (106). 8. A carrier arrangement according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that
that the respective front and side edge (112) of the base element or of the body (68; 12, 14) is designed to rise steeply (166) starting from an outer section (176) running horizontally approximately parallel to the vehicle roof, and that the rubber element in The shape of a rubber strip (70) on the roof side has a bottom area (172) curved to achieve a suction effect with a front (longer) and a rear (shorter) leg (174 or 180), that the outer surface of the rear leg is preferably steeper than that preferably is wavy outer surface of the front leg and that the legs merge via a central region (168) enclosing a cavity into the upper leg regions surrounding the edge, of which the front leg (174) to achieve a bias towards the base element or the body has a bead-like reinforcement (178). 9. A carrier arrangement according to claim 3 and / or claim 6, characterized in that
that the elements (72, 186) are arranged at a distance from one another in the slot (96), that the elements can be spanned by at least one bracket (74, 76) which preferably abuts the horizontally or almost horizontally running sections (106) of the elements that the bracket is U-shaped and has at its free legs (114, 118) foot ends (78), the base area of which corresponds approximately to the dimensions of the slots in their respective expanded area (98), and that each at the foot ends a tapered section (80) adjoins that the bracket can be moved along the slot. 10. A carrier arrangement according to claim 6 and / or claim 9, characterized in that
that the slot extensions (98) are each arranged at a distance from the slot ends, that the bracket (s) (74, 76) can be moved into an end region of the slot such that only one of the slot extensions (98) is accessible and, if necessary is lockable.

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